CVE-2018-3739: Denial of Service in https-proxy-agent
Summary
CVE-2018-3739: Denial of Service in https-proxy-agent. Affects https-proxy-agent versions < 2.2.0. Fixed in 2.2.0. How to fix ↓
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Background
The https-proxy-agent package is an npm package that provides an HTTP(s) proxy agent implementation for Node.js. It allows users to make HTTP requests through a proxy server. The package is widely used in Node.js applications that require proxy support.
Vulnerability Detail
Versions of https-proxy-agent before 2.2.0 are vulnerable to denial of service. The vulnerability arises due to unsanitized options (proxy.auth) being passed to the Buffer() function. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted requests, causing the application to crash or become unresponsive. This can lead to a denial of service condition, impacting the availability of the affected application.
How To Fix
Latest published version: 9.1.0 as of 22 Oct 2026
npm install https-proxy-agent@9.1.0Upgrading to it may include breaking changes; the version below is the minimum fixed release for this vulnerability.
If you need the minimum change
2.2.0
This is the first release that contains the fix.
npm install https-proxy-agent@2.2.0Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
There is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is essential to update to the fixed version of the package.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the https-proxy-agent package versions prior to 2.2.0 are vulnerable to a denial of service attack. It is crucial to update to version 2.2.0 or later to mitigate this vulnerability. For additional assistance with vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for https-proxy-agent →
FAQ
The vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker to cause a denial of service, making the affected application unresponsive or crash.
You can use Vulert's playground (https://vulert.com/scanner) to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability. Vulert analyzes the package-lock.json file to identify and alert in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities.
Yes, updating the https-proxy-agent package to version 2.2.0 or later will fix this vulnerability.
No, there are no known workarounds for this vulnerability. Updating to the fixed version is the recommended solution.
For further support on vulnerability remediation, you can reach out to info@devnack.com.
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